As the Indian cricket team gears up to face Sri Lanka in the first T20I, fans are expressing frustration over Sanju Samson’s continued absence from the playing XI. Despite his impressive performances, including a recent 58 in the fifth T20I against Zimbabwe, Samson finds himself on the sidelines once again.
Sanju Samson has often been in and out of the team, and his exclusion from the first T20I against Sri Lanka has only fueled speculation and disappointment among fans. Many believe that his consistent performances should warrant a more permanent spot in the team. However, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, who has opted for Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag in the top-order batting positions, Samson’s wait for a regular place continues.
Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach of the Indian team, was expected to offer Samson more opportunities given his history of backing the player. Yet, it seems that Samson’s time on the bench may not be over anytime soon. The playing XI for the match includes Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Riyan Parag, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.
The decision has led to a wave of reactions from fans who are disappointed by Samson’s exclusion. Some describe it as unfortunate, while others label him as “unlucky.” The situation highlights ongoing debates about team selection and player rotation within Indian cricket.
As the series progresses, it remains to be seen how Samson’s absence will impact the team and if he will get another chance to prove his worth.